Five Minutes With... Zintle Ntshikila
Woolworths TASTE|October 2017

It’s been five years since the Instagram sensation – and current chef in training – started a journey that saw her lose 56 kg. Over a lunch at Bon Amis at Bloemendal, she reveals it’s all about loving the food that’ll love you back

Annette Klinger
Five Minutes With... Zintle Ntshikila

Why the love for Bon Amis?

It’s incredibly child friendly. What I love about it is that my daughters Unabanthu (9) and Afika (5) don’t get that cooped-up, edgy, cabin-fever feeling kids sometimes do in restaurants. You know, acting like you haven’t taught them any manners! So, while the food is being prepared, they can go and play outside; it’s really beautiful. Plus, it’s only about seven-and-a-half kilometres from our home, and about three kilometres from their school, so on sushi Fridays I just pick them up from school on the way here.

Did you say sushi Fridays?

I don’t want to share all my secrets, but yes. The kids love the tuna and-prawn crunch rolls. And, because I’m such a regular here, the chefs are really accommodating, making me sushi without rice when I ask. Oh, and I always have to have a glass of Bloemendal’s Waterlily Shiraz Rosé. I mean, can you think of anything better on a Friday?

It’s been five years since you changed your food lifestyle. What spurred the change?

This story is from the October 2017 edition of Woolworths TASTE.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2017 edition of Woolworths TASTE.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOOLWORTHS TASTEView All
 Award-winning Food: Trending Plates
Woolworths TASTE

Award-winning Food: Trending Plates

Fine-dining takes on both nostalgic and African ingredients - from Cremora and polony (yes!) to okra and beetroot - were food trends singled out by the judges of the 2022 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards.

time-read
1 min  |
January/February 2023
Everything you need to know about quinoa
Woolworths TASTE

Everything you need to know about quinoa

If it was good enough to sustain the Incan armies - and NASA's astronauts - you'd better believe this protein-rich seed will see you through your afternoon slump.

time-read
1 min  |
January/February 2023
PIGS IN BLANKETS
Woolworths TASTE

PIGS IN BLANKETS

The kids will love these quick-and-easy snacks that won't break the (piggy) bank.

time-read
1 min  |
January/February 2023
82 words on...
Woolworths TASTE

82 words on...

THE FROZEN APEROL SPRITZ is the hottest way to keep cool this summer, says Jeanne Calitz.

time-read
1 min  |
January/February 2023
MEET ME AT THE RIVER
Woolworths TASTE

MEET ME AT THE RIVER

Plan a visit to the new Mukwa River Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi to experience Zambian food with a twist, courtesy of head cook Aaron Menezes and four passionate members of his kitchen team.

time-read
10 mins  |
January/February 2023
FIRE STARTER
Woolworths TASTE

FIRE STARTER

Celeb TV chef Clem Pedro - of Afternoon Express and Expresso fame takes the art of hosting to pro level and not because he went to hotel school or worked for TASTE, but because he started in his mom's kitchen. We asked him to share his food nerd roots and family braai secrets.

time-read
10 mins  |
January/February 2023
PLANTS IN PARADISE
Woolworths TASTE

PLANTS IN PARADISE

Former Durban creative (and one-time carnivore) Neil Roake and his daughter Jordan's epic travels led them to collaborate on the all veg cookbook Castaway. They shared their meat-free adventures on the Filipino island of Siargao with TASTE.

time-read
10+ mins  |
January/February 2023
ΤΟ MAY-ΤΟ, ΤΟ MAH-ΤΟ
Woolworths TASTE

ΤΟ MAY-ΤΟ, ΤΟ MAH-ΤΟ

Midsummer tomatoes are impossible to resist, we know. So when you find yourself with a bounty of exotic varieties - heirlooms, Italian Romas, ripe Mediterraneans and sweet Rosalinis - Hannah Lewry is here to help.

time-read
6 mins  |
January/February 2023
HOME TRUTHS
Woolworths TASTE

HOME TRUTHS

At her Joburg eatery, established in the iconic former Women's Jail at Constitution Hill, Mpho Phalane has worked to create a space that both honours the historic site and feels like home. She spoke to Khanya Mzongwana about the food journey that brought her here.

time-read
9 mins  |
January/February 2023
Morogo magic
Woolworths TASTE

Morogo magic

Budget-friendly indigenous leafy greens - fresh, sautéed or preserved for later use are on Mokgadi Itsweng's menu at this time of year.

time-read
2 mins  |
January/February 2023